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330bhp RS3 LMS Race Car Unveiled by Audi

Audi Sport has pulled the wraps off its new RS3 LMS race car soon after the new RS3 saloon was unveiled at the 2016 Paris Motor Show, and plans to start deliveries of the RS3 LMS by the end of 2016. While the model with the racing sequential gearbox costs USD 144,600, the conventional manual is priced at USD 111,000.

Audi has built the RS3 LMS to compete in the TCR international racing series that happens around the world. What’s immediately apparent on the RS3 LMS are the enormously flared fenders which hide the wider track that’s restricted by TCR’s regulations to 195cm, a huge front splitter and the large rear wing. There’s a long list of safety additions like the roll-cage, fuel cell, PS3 seat, and a rescue hatch in the roof.

Powering this car is a ‘not-so-fancy’ sounding 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo engine that’s mandated by TCR rules, but this iteration belts out a relatively healthy 330bhp thanks to superior tuning and a low weight of just 1285kg. It charges to 100kmph in just 4.5 seconds and goes on to hit a top speed of 240kmph.

Audi Sport managing director Stephan Winkelmann, said “Audi has been active in motorsport on the highest level for generations. With the Audi R8 LMS, Audi Sport customer racing managed to build a successful customer sport program alongside the factory commitments in the WEC and DTM, in a very short period of time. The Audi R8 LMS has since become the market leader in its segment. We have the same plans for the Audi RS3 LMS, which offers customers an attractive opportunity to get started in Audi racing.”